Human Development & Family Studies, PhD

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development & Family Studies

The HDFS doctoral program prepares students to be researchers and educators in the areas of positive development and resilience of diverse children, youth, and families in everyday life contexts, as well as policy developers, or professionals who develop, evaluate, and implement programs for children, families, and communities. Our doctoral concentration is interdisciplinary, drawing upon the canons of anthropology, economics, education, family studies, human development, psychology, and sociology. Further, we value qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. Students who enter the doctoral program without a master’s will complete one as the first part of their doctoral requirements.

Admission

Admission is based upon both academic record and the applicant's fit with faculty research programs. We examine grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, writing sample, and a personal statement. GRE scores are optional. International applicants from non-English speaking countries must have an official paper Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 103 on the internet based test. We will not admit anyone with a GPA less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All applicants are required to have previous coursework in a relevant area of social or behavioral sciences. Test scores should be taken no more than two years prior to application. Our application deadline is December 15 for possible admission the following fall semester. We admit students for fall enrollment only. Please refer to our department website for further information.

Graduate Teaching Experience

We do not require our students to teach but recognize the importance of teacher development for their future marketability. Thus, we make teaching assistantships available and encourage students to pursue a variety of teaching experiences as well as mentorship from experienced instructors. We also encourage our students to utilize the variety of teacher training resources that are available across campus.

Faculty Research Interests

Faculty information is available on our department website.

Centers, Programs, and Institutes

Facilities and Resources

  • Bevier Hall
  • Child Development Lab
  • Doris Kelley Christopher Hall
  • Early Child Development Lab

Financial Aid

We are committed to funding all of our students who are making timely progress. The duration and amount of our commitment varies by program. Funding may include fellowships, research assistantships, and/or teaching assistantships. These opportunities typically include stipends and tuition waivers. In some cases, fees are also waived. All applicants are automatically considered for all department funding opportunities; there is no separate application process. Federal and state financial aid is completely separate from the support provided by our department. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information regarding federal and state financial aid.

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development & Family Studies

Those entering the doctoral program without a master's degree will complete one within their first two years in the doctoral program. Students entering with a non-thesis master's will be required to complete a "thesis equivalency" paper within the first two years of their doctoral program. Requirements for the Ph.D. include 64 graduate hours beyond the M.S. degree, completion of the written and oral qualifying examination, defense of the written dissertation proposal, and a final thesis defense upon completion of the dissertation. 

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Program Information and the Graduate College Handbook. 

Theory Courses8
HDFS 501
Human Development Theories
HDFS 521
Family Theories
Substantive Courses
Select four of the following:8-16
HDFS 503
Social-Emotional Development
HDFS 505
Advanced Adolescence
HDFS 523
Ethnic Families
HDFS 526
Intimate Partner Violence
HDFS 527
Family Resiliency
HDFS 528
Parenting
HDFS 533
Community In American Society
HDFS 534
Neighborhoods and Human Dev
HDFS 539
Youth, Culture and Society
HDFS 540
Gender & Sexuality
HDFS 541
Inequalities In A Diverse Society
HDFS 543
Ethnography Urban Communities
HDFS 561
Child and Family Program Dev
HDFS 562
Child & Family Program Eval
HDFS 595
Seminar
RST 586
Health and Leisure in Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Quantitative Methods12
HDFS 590
Advanced Research Methods
HDFS 594
Intermed Statistical Analysis
HDFS 597
Advanced Statistical Analysis (Students may substitute another advanced statistics course for HDFS 597)
Qualitative Methods8
Select two of the following:
HDFS 591
Qualitative Methods (Student must select from HDFS 591 E and/or HDFS 591 G)
HDFS 582
Discourse Analysis in the Social Sciences
Professional Development28
HDFS 500
Professional Development
HDFS 599
Thesis Research
Elective Courses (required hours depend upon content of M.S. degree)0-16
Total Hours64

Other Requirements

Other requirements may overlap
MS equivalent, or student will earn MS in first two years of PhD program
Qualifying Exam Required Yes
Preliminary Exam Required Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required Yes
Minimum GPA: 2.75

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development & Family Studies

HDFS Graduate Student Learning Outcomes

  1. HDFS graduate students will demonstrate subject matter expertise, including theoretical and substantive expertise in a specialized area
    1. Recall key principles, theories, and concepts used in HDFS
    2. Apply key principles, theories, and concepts to the study of HDFS
    3. Critique current theories and empirical knowledge regarding HDFS
    4. Evaluate current knowledge in a specific substantive area using two distinct theories
    5. Identify knowledge gaps in a specific substantive area
    6. Pose questions to remedy said gap
  2. HDFS graduate students will demonstrate social science methodology expertise
    1. Apply key principles, concepts and analytic strategies used in quantitative research
    2. Apply key principles, concepts and analytic strategies used in qualitative research
    3. Use data management and analysis software (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, MAXQDA; HLM, R)
    4. Evaluate the methodological strengths and limitations of empirical studies
    5. Design and defend a complete research project 
    6. Complete an IRB application
    7. Complete an ethics certificate relevant to project
    8. Conduct a research project as per protocol and ethical standards
  3. HDFS graduate students will demonstrate professional competence skills
    1. Identify career and professional goals
    2. Develop leadership skills (e.g., through formal positions; informal mentoring of undergraduates or new graduate students; representing the department; participation in class or lab teamwork)
    3. Develop professional network to support career and professional goals (e.g., relationships with mentors; participation in professional organizations)
    4. Create and maintain a CV and other job-related materials (e.g., cover letter; teaching philosophy; research statement)
    5. Exhibit professional and ethical behavior
    6. Make decisions and solve problems
    7. Collaborate to achieve group goals
  4. HDFS graduate students will demonstrate scholarly communication skills in English
    1. Use effective written communication
      1. Use appropriate grammar and writing mechanics
      2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of APA style
      3. Respond to constructive criticism (e.g., revision process, peer review)
      4. Produce written work that is organized, logical, and fully developed
    2. Use effective oral communication
      1. Clearly and logically present ideas aloud through presentation to class or group
    3. Use effective visual communication
      1. Use clear and logical charts, graphs, and other visual displays to present ideas
  5. HDFS graduate students will demonstrate a critical and reflexive orientation toward and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion
    1. Critically examine one’s own beliefs, assumptions, values, attitudes, and biases regarding diverse individuals and families
    2. Reflect on one’s own interconnected positions, privileges, and disadvantages across multiple contexts
    3. Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion in one’s own work (written, oral, and visual communication)

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development & Family Studies

Department of Human Development & Family Studies

Department Head: Dr. Ramona Faith Oswald (roswald@illinois.edu)
Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Brian Ogolsky (bogolsky@illinois.edu)

Human Development & Family Studies website
Human Development & Family Studies faculty

222 Bevier Hall
905 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3790
hdfs@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

Admissions

Graduate College Admissions & Requirements
ACES College Admissions & Requirements